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What is the primary role of agriculture in society?
What is the primary role of agriculture in society?
Agriculture only provides food and does not contribute to economic growth.
Agriculture only provides food and does not contribute to economic growth.
False
Name one crop that can be used to make biofuels.
Name one crop that can be used to make biofuels.
Maize
A stable and productive agricultural sector is critical for ensuring __________.
A stable and productive agricultural sector is critical for ensuring __________.
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Match the following agricultural practices with their impact on society:
Match the following agricultural practices with their impact on society:
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Which of the following is a significant benefit of agriculture in rural communities?
Which of the following is a significant benefit of agriculture in rural communities?
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Developing economies have better access to agricultural products than developed economies.
Developing economies have better access to agricultural products than developed economies.
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What is the impact of global trade on agriculture?
What is the impact of global trade on agriculture?
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Which of the following is a significant impact of overgrazing?
Which of the following is a significant impact of overgrazing?
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Deforestation occurs due to traditional agriculture practices such as slash and burn.
Deforestation occurs due to traditional agriculture practices such as slash and burn.
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What is the primary risk for countries heavily reliant on food imports?
What is the primary risk for countries heavily reliant on food imports?
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Traditional agriculture typically utilizes __________ tools and organically available fertilizers.
Traditional agriculture typically utilizes __________ tools and organically available fertilizers.
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Match the following agricultural practices with their characteristics:
Match the following agricultural practices with their characteristics:
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Which of the following can result from high food costs?
Which of the following can result from high food costs?
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Overgrazing helps in the regeneration of indigenous plant species.
Overgrazing helps in the regeneration of indigenous plant species.
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Name one major consequence of soil erosion caused by overgrazing.
Name one major consequence of soil erosion caused by overgrazing.
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What is a significant impact of high yielding variety crops on agriculture?
What is a significant impact of high yielding variety crops on agriculture?
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Excess use of nitrogenous fertilizers can lead to a condition known as eutrophication in water bodies.
Excess use of nitrogenous fertilizers can lead to a condition known as eutrophication in water bodies.
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What health hazard is associated with high nitrate levels in groundwater caused by fertilizers?
What health hazard is associated with high nitrate levels in groundwater caused by fertilizers?
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The practice of planting only one type of crop over vast areas is known as __________.
The practice of planting only one type of crop over vast areas is known as __________.
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Match the following impacts of agricultural practices with their effects:
Match the following impacts of agricultural practices with their effects:
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Which of the following regions is notably affected by nitrate pollution?
Which of the following regions is notably affected by nitrate pollution?
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What agricultural practice can lead to reduced preference for local crop varieties?
What agricultural practice can lead to reduced preference for local crop varieties?
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Use of pesticides over the years has led to the development of super pests that are resistant to these pesticides.
Use of pesticides over the years has led to the development of super pests that are resistant to these pesticides.
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Study Notes
Agriculture and Food Resources
- Agriculture is the science and practice of farming, encompassing crop cultivation and livestock raising. It serves as the primary source of food production.
- A strong agricultural sector is vital for global food security, hunger eradication, and preventing food shortages, particularly in vulnerable regions.
- Agriculture delivers a diverse array of nutrients essential for human health beyond just calories.
- A balanced diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, grains, and animal products improves overall nutrition and well-being.
- Agriculture significantly contributes to global economic growth, employing a large portion of the global population and providing income for millions, especially in developing countries.
- Agriculture offers a source of income and can fuel economic development and poverty reduction.
- Agriculture provides food energy and serves as a source of bioenergy. Crops like maize, sugarcane, and oilseeds are used to produce biofuels, serving as an alternative to fossil fuels. This enhances energy security while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Agriculture is the backbone of many rural communities; its success is directly linked to the well-being of these communities. A thriving agricultural industry can facilitate rural development by generating employment opportunities and infrastructure.
- Agriculture plays a crucial role in shaping cultural identity, heritage, and social structures in rural areas.
- Global agricultural trade is essential for supplying regions with goods they cannot produce, ensuring a variety of food items year-round.
Food Security
- The food gap between developed and developing economies is widening.
- Developed countries tend to have stronger currencies and better access to credit, making food supplies and input materials more affordable than in developing economies.
- Vulnerable countries often rely on institutions like the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance to cover import costs, impacting food availability.
- Nations heavily reliant on food imports with low foreign reserves face a higher risk of food scarcity.
- High food costs are influenced by expensive agricultural input materials, labor, and energy.
Impacts of Overgrazing
- Livestock plays a significant role in rural life causing a high demand for grazing lands.
- Overgrazing occurs when livestock graze beyond the carrying capacity of the land.
- Overgrazing degrades land by removing the vegetative cover, resulting in reduced soil fertility, a poor, compacted soil structure, and hindered water percolation.
- Overgrazing leads to soil erosion as plant roots no longer hold the topsoil.
- Overgrazing negatively impacts plant populations, potentially replacing useful species with thorny plants or weeds.
Traditional and Modern Agriculture
- Traditional Agriculture: Typically employs small tools, natural resources, organic fertilizers, and relies on naturally available water.
- Modern Agriculture: Utilizes hybrid high-yielding seed varieties, fertilizers, advanced equipment, pesticides, and controlled irrigation water.
Impacts of Traditional Agriculture
- Deforestation: Traditional farming often involves clearing forest areas and burning them to cultivate crops, known as slash-and-burn or shifting cultivation, which leads to deforestation.
- Soil Erosion: Clearing forest cover for traditional agriculture can increase vulnerability to floods and erosion caused by strong winds or heavy rainfall.
- Nutrient Depletion: Shifting cultivation depletes soil fertility as crops absorb nutrients, and leaving the land untreated without fertilizers exacerbates nutrient loss.
Impacts of Modern Agriculture
Impacts from High Yielding Variety of Plants
- Monoculture: The use of high-yielding crop varieties can lead to monoculture, planting only one variety over vast areas, creating vulnerability to pest attacks and economic losses.
- Reduced Preference: The preference for genetically modified and hybrid crops can reduce the use of local indigenous varieties.
Impacts from Fertilizers
- Micronutrient Imbalance: Excessive use of chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (macronutrients) can cause an imbalance in micronutrients like zinc, as seen in regions like Punjab and Haryana.
- Nitrate Pollution: Nitrogenous fertilizers can leach into groundwater, polluting it with nitrates. Concentrations above 25 mg/liter can lead to "Blue Baby Syndrome," causing infant deaths. This is prevalent in countries like Denmark, England, France, and Netherlands, and also present in India.
- Eutrophication: Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers can wash into nearby water bodies. These nutrients fuel rapid algal growth, consuming oxygen and blocking sunlight, causing a condition called eutrophication. This leads to the destruction of aquatic ecosystems, including fish deaths.
Impacts from Pesticides
- Resistance to Pesticides: The overuse of pesticides can lead to pest resistance and the emergence of super-pests, rendering the pesticides ineffective.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential aspects of agriculture, including its significance in food production and global economic growth. It highlights the importance of diverse nutrition sourced from agriculture and its role in combating food shortages and poverty. Explore how agriculture impacts human health and the economy.
